Student Women´s Forum launched at Monash South Africa

1 June 2007

At the launch of the Monash South Africa Student Women’s Forum from the left: Ms Tayesa Banda, Ms Ay’sha Meer-Seedat, non-executive director of Monash South Africa, Ms Pamella Motlhageng and Ms Puseletso Sehahabane

The Monash South Africa Student Women's Forum was officially launched, by Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius, at a function held on the Monash campus on Friday, 25 May 2007. The programme for the evening included poetry readings, music and speeches.
 
Professor Pretorius said that he supported the establishment of the forum and was pleased that it was an initiative by the students.

The three founding members of the forum Ms Pamella Motlhageng, Ms Puseletso Sehahabane and Ms Tayesa Banda signed a declaration of intent that the Monash South Africa Student Women’s Forum “will identify, equip and develop potential woman leaders in the Monash South Africa student community and build individual and collective value sets through training, education and networking”.

The guest speaker, Ms Ay’sha Meer-Seedat, non-executive director of Monash South Africa, discussed her vision for a new society and encouraged the students to keep developing and building their vision and to work towards making the ’impossible’ possible. 

When discussing the role of good leadership she quoted Sylvia Bushell: “Leadership is not for those who want an easy life, it’s for those who are willing to put all they have into achieving their vision.”

Some pointers she included for the students to achieve their vision were: “Do not be afraid, believe it can be done, be patient, work hard, be principled, educate, celebrate and have fun.”

She closed with a quote from Geraldine Ferraro: "We've chosen the path to equality, don't let them turn us around."